Attachment Theory and Smartphone Addiction Among University Students: Investigating Psychological Dependence, Behavioral Patterns and Well-Being

Smartphones play a crucial role in students' daily routines, influencing social interactions and academic engagement. This study explores the link between attachment styles—secure, avoidant, anxious, and disorganized—and smartphone addiction among students at UiTM Puncak Alam’s Faculty of Business and Management. Based on data from 256 respondents, findings reveal that all attachment styles significantly correlate with smartphone addiction, with avoidant attachment displaying the strongest relationship (r = .701), followed by disorganized (r = .554), anxious (r = .534), and secure attachment (r = .476). Regression analysis identifies avoidant attachment as the primary predictor, suggesting that individuals with avoidant tendencies rely heavily on smartphones to distance themselves from real-world interactions. Anxious attachment also contributes, reflecting excessive smartphone use driven by a need for social reassurance. In contrast, secure and disorganized attachments show minimal predictive impact. These results indicate that smartphone addiction is not merely a behavioral habit but is deeply rooted in psychological and emotional factors. Students with avoidant and anxious attachments may depend on smartphones for validation or coping, reinforcing problematic usage patterns. To address this issue, universities should implement structured interventions such as digital wellness programs, attachment-based counseling, and social engagement initiatives that encourage healthy offline interactions. Encouraging face-to-face communication and setting boundaries for smartphone usage can help mitigate addiction risks. Future studies should investigate the long-term academic and psychological effects of smartphone dependency, offering broader insights into the consequences of attachment-driven smartphone addiction in university settings.